Phlomis (Jerusalem Sage)

While many California natives and Mediterranean flora are drought tolerant during our long dry season, a preponderance of these is not summer-blooming—a goal sought after by a good many gardeners.

Phlomis Garden Value

The fuzzy-leafed Mediterranean and Eastern Asian Phlomis species are both drought-tolerant as well as summer-blooming with enough other values to be taken seriously as key garden elements.

• Although none of the many species are considered garden anchors—not imposing enough to be considered year-round features—they do carry evergreen foliage, interesting forms, and seasonal blooms that partner easily with many other species.
• These low-water, shrubby perennials bear slightly fuzzy, bluish green leaves heart-shaped at the base.
• Sunny yellow flowers are arranged in whorls with several blossom clusters arranged candelabra-style up and down vertical stalks.
• A phlomis in bloom is a dramatic sight with its unusual and arresting arrangement of flowers and the contrast between the yellow blooms and blue-green foliage.
• Flowers attract the attention of bees and butterflies, making it a good habitat plant. Deer avoid it completely.
• Flower stalks and seed heads continue to be ornamental and provide food for birds as they dry and turn brown in late summer.
• Phlomis combines well with ornamental grasses and other Mediterranean-climate species, especially those with blue flowers.

Phlomis Selections

Phlomis endures high heat in summer, prefers full sun for best bloom, and may get leggy and droopy in too much shade. All are deer resistant.

• Phlomis ‘Edward Bowles’—a cross between Phlomis fruticosa and Phlomis russeliana—is perhaps the most dramatic of the genus.
  • It spreads up to twice the width of its 3-ft. height and flowers similarly to its parents. Flower stems are taller.
  • Long horizontal stems become woody after a few years and can be cut back drastically to maintain a compact shape.
• Phlomis fruticosa reaches about 3-4 ft. high and wide, although some individual specimens grow larger. Pruning in winter is needed to control excessive growth.
  • Planted on 3-4 ft. centers, they create an impressive mass planting.
  • Shrubs come into bloom at the end of April and beginning of May in Sonoma County and will rebloom one or more times if watered moderately and cut back lightly as flowers fade.
  • After the final bloom of the season, cut back by half to maintain an attractive form.
• Phlomis lanata appeals to gardeners with its low shrubby form a little over 2 ft. tall, spreading 4-5 ft. wide.
  • But after trimming stems to control size and deadheading long-blooming yellow flowers, many of these same gardeners find the dense, short hairs covering leaves annoying.
• Phlomis russeliana, a groundcover form, features bold, heart-shaped, green leaves that cover spreading stems.
  • Tall flower stalks to 3 ft. provide a striking contrast against the lower foliage.
  • In early summer, stalks carry several vertical ranks of clustered yellow flowers that turn rich brown when dry and may be left standing for many weeks.
  • This species endures considerable shade where it requires little summer water.
  • Because the current season’s leaves and stems slowly die back after bloom, plants stay neater with one or two foliage clean-ups as new growth emerges.

September 2023